THE WORD: Watkins, formerly the offensive coordinator
at Midland Lee, will try to keep the Mavericks rolling after
Brian Hulett led the program to 35 wins over the past three
years before leaving for Springtown. While losing dual-threat
quarterback Josh Moylan will make Eastland less explosive,
Majors – last year’s leading receiver – should be a reliable
target for Storm. Bailey earned defensive newcomer honors
and led the Mavericks in tackles last season. His presence
plus Honea and Thompson make linebacker the biggest
strength in the 3-4 defense. There are question marks at
running back and defensive end after a big senior class
departed. It’ll be difficult for the Mavericks to average 46
points like they did in 2013, especially with having to learn
new schemes and terminology. But expect the Mavericks to
be the biggest challenger to Cisco in 2-3A and one of the
top teams in the region. Their longtime rivalry with neighbor
Cisco will be renewed after taking a hiatus when the two
teams were in different divisions, that matchup will be a
must watch in 2014.

THE WORD: Henrietta improved its win total by five last season
and could see another increase – albeit smaller – in 2014. An
all-junior backfield of Watson and Fletcher (787 yards, 8 TDs)
has upside, and if Watson develops chemistry with new receivers, the Bearcats will be more versatile moving the ball. Dowell
made eight field goals last season and his booming kickoffs
are a real boost in the field-position battle. Hayden West ( 127
tackles) and Hunter ( 124 tackles) were the top playmakers
on defense and their presence at inside linebacker fortifies
the aggressive defense, which allowed 32 points per game in
2013. Look for that number to decrease, although a couple
secondary spots are up in the air. Henrietta would have been
one of the favorites before Cisco and Eastland joined the district. If they can build on last season’s turnaround, they’ll still be
near the top of the standings.

THE WORD: The Mustangs return nearly everybody from last
year’s group that earned City View’s first playoff berth since
2002. The offense averaged 36 points in its first year running the spread, and with more depth at receiver, Coursey
( 21 TDs) could return to the backfield. Coursey’s versatility
and elusiveness make the offense go, as does Karr’s running ability. Karr threw for 1,640 yards and 17 touchdowns
as a junior, but his completion rate needs to get better.
Jackson (32-678-7) was Karr’s top target, and he should see
fewer double teams if Chafin and Bobo, a Hirschi transfer,
perform. Killen is the leader of a defense that must improve
in all facets, especially tackling and aggressiveness. City
View should be able to score with anybody in the district,
but how well it plays on the other side of the ball determines
the team’s ceiling. The Mustangs have too much talent not
to make the playoffs.

HOLLIDAY EAGLES

ENROLLMENT: 275 ( 2)

2013 RECORD: 2-8

THE COACH: Frank Johnson

THE PLAYERS: Levi Draper (Jr., QB/DB), Easton Stringer (Sr., OL/
DL), Caleb Brown (Sr., OL/DL), Zach Offield (Sr., OL/DL), Matt
Tigert (Sr., WR/DB), Tyler Martindale (Sr., WR/DB), Bailey Broyles (Sr., WR/LB), Andrew Hill (Sr., WR/LB), Joey Lewis (Jr., RB)
THE WORD: Holliday is coming off its worst season in quite some
time, but there’s reason for the Eagles to be optimistic in Johnson’s second season. There should be more familiarity with the
defensive scheme and 12 starters return. Draper has worked
on his mechanics and his mobility at quarterback will help open
up the spread offense. Led by Stringer, the Eagles will be a lot
physically stronger up front, which should improve an offense
that averaged only 230 yards in 2013. Broyles ( 80 tackles), the
team’s lone first-team all-district selection, will be a ballhawk
on defense, but the Eagles are short a linebacker and a defensive end to play opposite Stringer. Holliday lost several district
games in the fourth quarter, and Johnson is hopeful a renewed
focus in the weight room will offset that problem. The Eagles
will be improved, but it’s no guarantee that will enough for a
playoff berth in this difficult district.

THE WORD: The Tigers are coming off their first district title
in a decade, but this year’s team features an abundance
of youth with only four returning lettermen. One of those
is Thompson, who moves from receiver to quarterback in
the spread offense. He has a good arm and will also be the
Tigers’ defensive leader at middle linebacker after making
73 tackles a year ago. Kinder (458 rushing yards, 3 TDs)
excelled in a backup role and will provide versatility with
his speed and pass-catching ability. Mabbitt could also be
a key player on offense. The biggest concern is that no offensive or defensive linemen have any varsity experience.
Although the JV was a successful 8-2, Jacksboro lost almost
20 seniors and it should take the Tigers a few games for all
the unknown pieces to fall into place. They should have an
outside chance at one of the final playoff spots.

THE WORD: Nocona set a school record last season with its
third straight playoff appearance, but a difficult district will
put that streak at jeopardy. One uncertain aspect is at quarterback. With Ibarra undergoing ACL surgery in January, the
Indians could start the season with Johnson or Sentell taking
snaps. Nocona could become pass-heavy for two reasons. One
is that receivers Hernandez (30-481-5), Sentell (21-422-4) and
Ramsey are the team’s biggest playmakers. The other reason
is only Hayes returns on the offensive line and the Indians are
unproven at tailback. Hawkins and Ibarra each picked off three
passes last year, making the secondary the biggest strength on
defense. Holes at linebacker and lack of depth are concerns for
the Indians, who finished last season with three straight losses
after wearing down. Nocona could be just as competitive as
it was in 2013, but a couple upsets will likely be needed to
stretch the playoff streak to four.

THE WORD: After averaging only 13 points per game last season, Coker expects to see lots of growth in the second year
running the Slot-T offense. DePriest is Millsap’s returning leading rusher with 487 yards and five touchdowns, but watch out
for Richardson, who has lots of potential. Lucia proved capable
of running the offense as a sophomore, but Ramirez is the only
full-time starter on the offensive line, which is the Bulldogs’ biggest question mark. Richardson ( 43 tackles) will also be a leading playmaker on defense at outside linebacker. Millsap lost its
last six games of 2013, suffering multiple critical injuries down
the stretch, but Bottoms is fully recovered from a knee injury.
Millsap could be improved in Coker’s eighth year leading the
program, but with only eight seniors to count on, the Bulldogs
are likely playing the spoiler role this season.

THE WORD: Coach Pittman takes over his first year at Post and
inherits a team who stormed through the regular season only to
fall to Sonora 28-21 in the area round of the playoffs. Pittman
is familiar with the program as he was promoted from assistant
to head coach this offseason. He will have some weapons at
his disposal with the return of 1st Team All-District running
back Bryan Smith. Smith finished the 2013 season with just
over 1,000 yards rushing. There is a possibility that Smith
could take over at the quarterback position. The offensive line
has some holes to fill but guard Jayson Walden and tight end
Aron Lopez will help ease any growing pains up front as both
were All-District selections in 2013. The Antelope defense will
be solid with the return of linebackers Bryan Smith and Aron
Lopez. Defensive tackle Jayson Walden and safety Keaton
Collins will solidify the defense. Overall the key positions are
in place but Coach Pittman will have to find some youth to fill
several holes.

THE WORD: The Bluecats return seven starters on offense
and six on defense for a 5-6 playoff team in 2013. Running back JaQuan Hemphill will be one of many key players
returning who could help the team make a deeper playoff
run in 2014. Hemphill rushed for 1,169 yards, hauled in
465 yards receiving while scoring a total of 17 TDs. Fullback Cayden Steffey will once again provide effective lead
blocking for Hemphill. Quarterback Cord Norris ( 6’ 1, 165)
had an excellent 2013 season where he passed for 1,444
yards and 12 TDs and rushed for an additional 649 yards
and 5 TDs. The offensive line will be anchored by Brandon
Barrios and tight end Trey Sartain. Defensive tackles Kyle
Boyet is coming off an impressive sophomore season where
he recorded 121 tackles, six of them for loss, and seven
sacks. Linebacker Royce Harris pitched in with 92 tackles,
14 hurries, and two sacks. Coleman will have a new coach
in 2014 as Brad Ballard left in early in May to take over at
Rosebud-Lott, former assistant John Elder was promoted to
lead the program in late May.

THE WORD: Quarterback K.J. Glaspie ( 6’ 1, 190) will lead
the Buffalo offense after putting up big numbers in 2013
where he threw for 1,549 yards and 12 TDs and rushed
for an additional 217 yards and 10 TDs. Glaspie earned
1st Team All-District honors for his performance. He will
have a dependable target in Estevan Chavez ( 5’ 8, 160)
who will move from his running back position, where he
rushed for 967 yards in 2013, to wide receiver. David
Ramsey ( 5’ 8, 160) will take over at running back this
season. Ramsey Rushed for 144 yards and caught 182
yards worth of receptions from his fullback position last
year. The offensive line will be a solid unit led by Weston
Phelps ( 5’ 9, 200), Donovan Armendarez ( 5’ 10, 250), and
Nathan Garlington ( 6’ 4, 240). The Buffalo defense will be
particularly strong up front with tackles Estaban Escamilla ( 6’0, 200) and Aaron Garza ( 5’ 10, 215) who combined
for over 75 tackles last season. Coach Peterson says “We
are going to be counting on several sophomores to step in
and start for us, as they improve so will us.”

THE WORD: The Wolves return a seasoned team which
posted a disappointing 2-8 record in 2013 but that record
will likely improve in 2014. Quarterback Dillon Gainey ( 5’ 10,
170) passed for 1,916 yards on 288 attempts last year and
earned All-District honors in doing so. Running back David
Sanchez ( 5’ 9, 175) will complement Gainey after rushing for
762 yards on 127 carries last year. Gainey will have dependable targets in receivers Trinnon Jackson ( 5’ 11, 175) and
Jonathan Jackson ( 5’ 8, 155). The two Jacksons combined
for over 710 yards receiving in 2013. The defense returns
six starters from last season and will led by linebackers David Sanchez and Trinnon Jackson who combined for over 45
tackles. The defensive front will be a solid run stopping unit
led by ends Brandon Thomas ( 6’0, 180) and Jeremiah Salazar ( 5’ 10, 185). Coach Gainey is encouraged by his teams
speed, quickness and football knowledge at the skilled
positions and is optimistic if his team is able to stay healthy.

THE WORD: While finishing 3-7 in the regular season, the
Bearcats where able to play their way in to the playoffs after
winning a couple of key games in district. The Cats lost out to
Sonora in the Bi-District round but are hoping to use 2013 as
a stepping stone to bigger things in 2014. Quarterback Colton
Little ( 5’ 10, 161) will take over full time as he saw limited time
under center last year. Little will have the luxury of returning
running back Corey Johnson who rushed for just under 500
yards in 2013. The offensive line lost several starters to